This is an iron-mounted example with Birmingham proofs on the barrel, the type of weapon that people would have carried for self-protection in the rough and tumble years of late Regency Britain. The academic interest is the Horsham gunmaker, who probably retailed a fairly standard Birmingham product and had his name and town engraved on it.

It has a folding trigger, a turn-off barrel which unscrews, and the added refinement of a waterproof pan, together with a top-snap safety. The condition throughout is really quite good for its age; mechanically it is sound; the calibre is approximately .50 and would deliver a devastating blow at close range. The overall length is 6 3/8 inches.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.